Ivan I. Burychka (Harik)

28-year-old senior soldier Ivan Burychka (call sign Harik) was killed on November 11, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission near the settlement of Pivdenne in the Donetsk region. During the enemy mortar shelling of the positions of Ukrainian defenders, he suffered fatal shrapnel wounds. Ivan was from the village of Zhupany in the Lviv region. He graduated from the Stryi Higher Vocational Art School No. 16 and obtained the profession of a tiler, plasterer, and mason. In 2017-2018, he served his conscription service. Later, he worked abroad in a construction company. When the full-scale war began, the man returned to his homeland and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine on February 25, 2022. He fought as part of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo. He was a gunner-antiaircraft missile platoon. "Ivan was a very good person and a brave warrior! He courageously fulfilled his duty as a citizen of Ukraine. Until his last breath, he was faithful to his comrades-in-arms and the state. Ivan gave everything for us, for a free Ukraine and peace, he gave his life, having so many plans and unfulfilled dreams," his brother Petro Chepa said. The defender was buried in his native village. Ivan is survived by his parents, brother, other relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms.